| 2/26/2008 11:26:13 AM |
I have a virus........ |
|
mbk1961
Farmington, IL
age: 46
|
My computer is running sooooo slow! It takes 5 minutes to send a message. Everytime I download a spyware program, it takes several hours, and after I run it, they want money to fix it. Does anyone know of a freeware program that will fix it?
|
| 2/26/2008 12:08:23 PM |
I have a virus........ |
|
marc2b4
Michigan, ND
age: 46
|
Better cough up the funds bro. Now you know why I use a Mac. We don't get viruses. Have a nice day!!!!!
M
|
| 2/26/2008 12:43:52 PM |
I have a virus........ |
|
1pinkstar
Omaha, NE
age: 54
|
PC Magazine recommended this, and I think it works great and is free:
www.avast.com
good luck
|
| 2/26/2008 2:35:37 PM |
I have a virus........ |
|
landpirate
Sherman, TX
age: 39
|
Everytime I download a spyware program, it takes several hours, and after I run it, they want money to fix it.
Step one: Delete all of that free horse-shit from your computer,
and never try to download it again. It's a major source of viruses, trojans, and spyware in and of itself.
You have a few choices here.
Start by deleting all of your cookies and temporary internet files,
then run your computer through defragmentation.
If that didn't help the problem, spend the money on a decent antivirus disc, install it, go online and allow for full updates of it's programs. Once that's completed, run your computer through a full scan to check for bad stuff. Isolate/quarantine(sp?)/delete all viruses, trojans, and spyware that's detected.
I'd also recommend buying a router.
If that doesn't sound like a viable option, a full restoration/reformatting of your hardrive about once a month, should keep your computer up and running.
|
| 2/26/2008 5:19:27 PM |
I have a virus........ |
|
topdownweather
Cranbury, NJ
age: 60
|
Sounds like you should just reformat your drive and reinstall Windows from the original discs that came with your system. Don't bother trying to make a backup of what you have and reloading it after the formatting, you'll just reinfect your system. Once you've got a clean system make sure you turn on a firewall before you go on the web, the ones that come with XP and Vista are adequate for most home users. My experience with some of the commercial multi-use s/w products is that they cause more problems than they solve so I stay away from them. Despite opinions to the contrary, there are some excellent freeware programs out there for protecting your system from attack.
My favorite freebies are:
ZoneAlarm, a firewall from Checkpoint Software, the largest commercial firewall s/w company in the world.
Adaware, an anti-spyware program from Lavasoft.com
AVG Anti-virus, from grisoft.com
SpyBot Search and Destroy, another anti-spyware program that catches key loggers and other stealth programs that can takeover your system.
All of these are free and the above combination of programs play together nicely and don't bump into each other or other programs (at least the ones I use) where I'm using Windows XP SP2 or Vista. Google, go to their respective websites or CNet.com and click on Downloads to get the free versions and just ignore the Upgrade Now offers and opt for the free versions. If you don't want to go the reformat route you can simply download these freebies and run them repeatedly until the system is relatively clean, but without a firewall it won't be long before you're infected again. As previously suggested a modern router will with its firewall enabled will also help stop new attacks, and if you're using a wireless router don't forget to turn on its security features by setting a password in it.
One more thing, you must update and run these programs on a regular basis (AVG can be set to do it automatically) or they quickly become out of date and vulnerable to being bypassed, also practice safe computing and don't open links or attachments from unknown senders.
Good luck!!
|
| 2/26/2008 8:35:48 PM |
I have a virus........ |
|
silkpanties53
Baytown, TX
age: 53
|
AVG has a free soft ware
thats what i use and it works good
make sure it is set to run when you
start your computer to go on line.
|
| 2/26/2008 10:43:00 PM |
I have a virus........ |
|
chuckyk
Portland, OR
age: 60
|
I use exactly what topdown uses plus one more freebie, Spyware Blaster which is a spyware blocker. I have used this combination on 8 different computers over 5 years and have never ever had a problem.
|
| 2/26/2008 11:01:55 PM |
I have a virus........ |
|
chuckyk
Portland, OR
age: 60
|
One other thought, many people on this site download emoticons and graphics, be very careful about doing this, you could also be downloading like 17 pieces of spyware, and pop-up ads, and all sorts of other crap. Be very, very, very careful
|
| 2/27/2008 8:36:56 AM |
I have a virus........ |
|
david9766
Chattanooga, TN
age: 51
|
That is why I use a Mac. Got tired of the problems with the PC's. Should have bought a Mac  Mike
|
| 2/27/2008 10:23:20 AM |
I have a virus........ |
|
mbk1961
Farmington, IL
age: 46
|
This is SO weird. I uninstalled Norton Utilities because I wanted to reinstall it. My PC works perfectly now! It must have been Norton. I switched to McAfee. Thanks to all!!
|
| 2/28/2008 3:04:48 AM |
I have a virus........ |
|
dbsuma
Lakewood, OH
age: 39
|
what OS do you have,
How much ram?
|
| 2/29/2008 6:30:27 AM |
I have a virus........ |
|
winesong
Bend, OR
age: 60
|
It was suggested to me by Microsoft and my local tech to not use Norton, 4 years ago.
It used to be the best, but somehow 4 years ago..they really started messing with the sytems. I had to get a special removal program, on a CD from a technician to really get it all removed. It was a devil!
I am glad you are back up and running.
Wine
|
| 2/29/2008 7:25:44 AM |
I have a virus........ |
|
robot690
Las Cruces, NM
age: 22
|
Use adaware to get rid of whatever virus' and trojans you have. then use Asulogics disk defragmenter and their registy cleaner. restart your Pc. if your still haveing trouble reformat and go buy software either mcafee or norton they are worth it.
|
| 2/29/2008 9:03:39 AM |
I have a virus........ |
|
chuckyk
Portland, OR
age: 60
|
Norton is a piece of crap, it takes over your machine and and it is a resources hog, it's almost as bad having a virus.
Use the free stuff topdown cited or if you do store bought use Kaspersky
edit to change posters' name, my bad
[Edited 2/29/2008 9:15:42 AM]
|
| 2/29/2008 3:43:03 PM |
I have a virus........ |
|
winesong
Bend, OR
age: 60
|
OH..I never like to reformat...
pain in the rear end to get my stuff all reloaded again.
I have many so programs.
I would do many creative clean/fix before I would reformat...
that is just me....
I load my computer up, and push it hard.
Upgrade your ram before formatting if possible.
Ad-Aware cleans up your registry nicely...
I also use www.cleanup.com (free) sounds like a toilet..but it works..giggle!
Wine
|